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100 new homes planned for Craignure

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Mull Mòd returns

Mull Mòd returns

An application to build 100 homes at Craignure on the Isle of Mull is to be submitted to Argyll and Bute Council. The applicant, TSL Contractors Ltd based in Oban and Mull, is currently “ gauging opinion for a residential development comprising a mix of fl ats, cottage fl ats, terraced houses, detached and semidetached houses, including 25 per cent affordable housing. The seven hectare grass and woodland site, north of Craignure, north west of the Isle of Mull Hotel, and south from Mull and Iona Community Hospital, would also contain a commercial unit. A care home and a children’s nursery are also included in a wider masterplan for the area, due to be phased in via

future planning applications. The architect, Threesixty Architecture based in Glasgow and Inverness, explained in its preapplication consultation with the council: ‘We believe The anticipated the principle of residential date for adoption development at this site should be considered of Local acceptable ahead of the Development approval of the Local Plan 2 is January Development Plan 2, 2023 which considering the delay on could again the approval of the Local Development Plan 2 and be delayed the ‘urgent need to reverse static or falling populations in some of our smaller rural communities by making them better places to live

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particularly for economically active families’, as stated in the Mull Strategic Housing Review. ‘The anticipated date for adoption of Local Development Plan 2 is January 2023 which could again be delayed, postponing the provision of housing for the island an additional year. ‘The lack of housing available for locals and the slow process to approve new residential developments in the area is negatively affecting population decline in the area and, as stated in the adopted Local Development Plan, ‘an exceptional case may be argued by developers for larger scales of housing developments provided it involves a deliberate attempt to counter population decline in the area, to help deliver affordable housing, or else meet a particular housing need’. ‘The low density of the proposed development with its robust landscaping strategy, creating radiating green corridors connecting with open green amenity spaces provides the additional housing provision for the island. The proposal retains the rural feel of the existing community, which has limited growing possibilities due to the constraints of the surrounding topography and proximity to water.’ In the council’s response, planning offi cers said: ‘We believe that due to the nature, size and location of the proposed development any environmental impacts identifi ed by the aforementioned supporting documentation can be adequately mitigated and dealt with via the planning system, therefore negating the need for an environmental impact assessment.’

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